Platform for Military Radio with Vehicle Adapter Amplifier

ABSTRACT

A platform for a military radio with a vehicle adapter amplifier has been developed. The apparatus includes a base for supporting at least one SINCGARS RT-1523 radio. The platform has a first power supply that includes a DC power converter for converting 110/220 alternating current into +28 Volt direct current and a second power supply that converts +28 Volt direct current into +6.75 Volts direct current, +13 Volts direct current and +200 Volt direct current. The platform includes a vehicle adapter power amplifier that provides range extension to said SINCGARS RT-1523 radio.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/885,164 that was filed on Sep. 17, 2010 which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/815,555 thatwas filed on Jun. 15, 2010 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/795,555 that was filed on Jun. 7, 2010which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/359,947 that was filed on Jan. 26, 2009, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 7,733,658 that was filed on May15, 2007, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 7,227,755that was filed on Jul. 21, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.Pat. No. 6,784,570 that was filed on Dec. 14, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an integrated power supplyand docking platform. In particular, the present invention relates to anintegrated power supply and docking platform for a SatelliteCommunications (SATCOM) radio frequency power amplifier for forming asingle physical platform with integrated power electronics.

BACKGROUND ART

The U.S. Department of Defense employs a type of UHF, VHF-FM, and

SATCOM combat net radio known as the “Harris 117 Radio”. These radioshave a military nomenclature of AN/PRC-117. The HARRIS 117 radios, aredesigned to provide the primary means of tactical communications andcontrol for U.S. ground mounted and dismounted units, all incoordination with naval and air support. HARRIS 117 radios are designedon a modular basis for achieving maximum commonality among the variousground airborne system configurations of the armed forces. HARRIS 117radios provide U.S. military commanders with a highly reliable, secure,and easily maintainable tactical radio net.

HARRIS 117 radios possess a nominal input power requirement of 24-32volts direct current, which is supplied by rechargeable on-boardbatteries. Recharging the HARRIS 117 radio batteries is inconvenientand, in certain mission applications, unattainable. Currently,specialized and complex battery recharging systems are available forrecharging HARRIS 117 radio batteries; however, these systems are notalways operable in a given application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some aspects, the invention relates to an adapter assemblycompromising: a base adapted and arranged for supporting at least oneSINCGARS RT-1523 radio; a first connector adapted and arranged forelectrically connecting with said SINCGARS RT-1523 radio; a first powersupply that includes a DC power converter for converting 110/220alternating current into +28 Volt direct current.; a second power supplythat converts +28 Volt direct current into +6.75 Volts direct current,+13 Volts direct current and +200 Volt direct current; and a vehicleadapter power amplifier that provides range extension to said SINCGARSRT-1523 radio.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

It should be noted that identical features in different drawings areshown with the same reference numeral.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present inventionshowing a HARRIS 117 radio.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the invention of FIG. 1 without theHARRIS 117 radio.

FIG. 3 is a bottom elevation view of the invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a back elevation view of the invention of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a back elevation view of the invention of FIG. 1 with a HARRIS150 radio.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention for two SINCGARS RT-1523 model radios.

FIG. 7 is a back elevation view of the invention of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a back elevation view of an alternative embodiment of theinvention of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a back elevation view of an alternative embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.1-5, where like portions share like numbering. As illustrated at FIGS. 1through 4, an adapter assembly 10, in accordance with the presentembodiment, includes a base 12 having a front side 14, a back side 16,opposing lateral sides 18 and 20 and a top side 22. Top side 22 isadapted to simultaneously support a HARRIS 117 radio 24. To that end,top side 22 includes a substantially flat, horizontal first platform 28for supporting HARRIS 117 radio.

Extending upward from top side 22 at a 90 degree angle and forming aportion of backside 16 is the support structures for further supportingHARRIS 117 radio 24. More particularly, the support structures include avertical support clamps 34 extending upward from the platform 28 andhaving a width corresponding to the width of the platform 28.

A first connector 38 is positioned and arranged so that first connector38 is in alignment and capable of interfacing with a complementaryreceptor socket on the rear of HARRIS 117 radio 24, when radio 24 isinstalled on the platform 28. A suitable connector for use as firstelectrical connector 38 is 6 pin radio connector type designed andmanufactured by Perkins Technical Services, Inc. Receptor contacts 42are positioned within first connector 38 to receive corresponding maleconnectors extending within the complementary receptor socket on therear side of HARRIS 117 radio 24 in accordance with governmentspecifications established for HARRIS 117 radios and HARRIS 117 SATCOMand radio frequency power amplifiers.

2 binding Posts are positioned on the backside to provide direct currenttake off power for the external power amplifier in accordance withgovernment specifications established for HARRIS 117 radios and HARRIS117 SATCOM and radio frequency power amplifiers. A third binding post ispositioned as a ground drain for external power amplifiers requiring aground.

A control switch 50 is provided on front side 14 of base 12 forcontrolling the initiation of power and/or charging for HARRIS 117 radio24 when installed on adaptor assembly 10. The front side 14 furtherincludes a set of speaker access holes 52 and a microphone adapter 54.The set of speaker access holes 52 allows sound generated by a phonespeaker housed within base 12 to exit base 12, while microphone adapters54, 55 provide a means of connecting the input/output of a HARRIS 117radio handset to speaker to allow microphone out signals to betransmitted to an audio amplifier circuit and ultimately to speaker.

Opposite front side 14, a standard power plug 58 is supported withinback side 16 and is adapted to plug into a standard 110/220 volthousehold outlet via an electrical cord. The backside also includes asubminature “D” 26 pin connector allowing access to the connector fromthe backside of the Harris 177 radio 24. Additionally a subminature “D”9 pin connector to allow the radio to be controlled by TOCNET and aCircular connector to provide the ability of the unit to accommodate aLS/671 SINCGARS External Speaker with Microphone/Handset. Backside 16further includes a pair of fan access holes 60 to allow a flow of airthrough base 12 as generated by a pair of fans.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the present embodiment of the inventionincludes a power supply subsystem for converting standard household110/220 Volt alternating current into direct current and supplying it tofirst connector 38 as +24 Volt direct current. When control switch 50 isclosed, a power supply converts alternating current power into directcurrent power at voltage levels required for HARRIS 117 radio 24, i.e.,+24 Volt direct current, and outputs the converted power to firstconnector 38 to allow for powering of HARRIS 117 radio 24 when installedor docked onto adapter assembly 10. A suitable power supply is anADA600F power supply manufactured by Cosel U.S.A. Inc located in SanJose, Calif.

Audio amplifier circuit is design with a five watt audio amplifier ICLM384N manufactured by National Semiconductor. Audio amplifier circuitacts as a power amplifier and relay for electrical signals generated bythe HARRIS 117 radio handset when connected via microphone adapters 54,55. In this manner, communications exchanged through the handset can beheard via speaker and the volume amplifier circuit provides a powerboost of 34 db maximum and operates off the +24 Volt input supply. Theoutput is frequency limited by a low pass output filter. The outputlevel is controlled via 20k ohm resistor mounted on the front of theunit.

Inasmuch as power supply conversions and power switch wiring arewell-known in the electrical arts, further discussion as to theelectrical characteristics and properties of the internal power suppliesfor converting standard 110/220 volt AC into direct current will not bediscussed as they are not necessary for a complete understanding of theinvention herein described.

An adapter line connects the input/output of the HARRIS 117 radio 24handset line to the adaptor assembly 10 and internal microphoneelectronic, and line connects radio handset with the adaptor assembly 10to allow the transmission of voice communications (i.e. audio signals)to and from the handset. Additional electrical communications alsooccurs with the HARRIS 117 radio 24 via connectors 38 and 44 Thecombination of the HARRIS 117 radio 24, and the adaptor 10 allow theHARRIS 117 radio 24 to operate while allowing others in the vicinity ofthe adaptor unit 10 to hear incoming and outgoing voice transmissions.The LS/671 Speaker connector located on the back of the unit isconnected into this circuitry. This allows the LS/671 it broadcast theaudio from the handset plugged into the front of the unit as well as thecommunications received into the radio. The speaker on the front of thebase station will also broadcast the audio signals from the Handsetplugged into the LS/671 External SINCGARS Speaker.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 6and 7. This embodiment includes an assembly 80 that includes the abilityto switch between AC power and DC power (20v-30v) seamlessly andautomatically in the powering of tactical radios. This capability allowsfor the assembly 80 to be connected to both the AC grid and standardtactical batteries currently available throughout the military or tostandard military DC vehicle power. Should the AC grid fail the unitautomatically will switch over to the DC power without interruption ofthe power provided to the radio, power amplifiers, external speakers,etc. This switchover is fully automatic and requires no action by theoperator.

FIG. 7 shows a rear view of the assembly 80 of this embodiment. Theassembly 80 includes an AC Power (85-260 VAC) Connector 82 and two DCPower (18-32 VDC) Connectors 84. The DC Connectors 84 allow forindependent batteries (including vehicle batteries) to be attached tomaintain radio power. This embodiment also provides two LS/671 speakerconnections 86 in addition to two TOCNET control ports 88. Thisembodiment of the assembly weighs approximately 20 pounds and has sizedimensions of 13″×13.5″×17.5″. While the embodiment shown is configuredto hold up to two SINCGARS RT-1523 model radios, other embodiments couldbe configured to hold other models of radios including: PRC-117; PRC-150and PSC-5.

The assembly 80 in this embodiment may also provide a DC power outputconnector 90 using the standard power connector found in militaryvehicles. This output connector 90 can provide power for communicationsaccessories such as the ITT Tactical Data Router (TDR) and FCBC2 (ForceXXI Battle Command, Brigade and Below) Devices to operate on theassembly's power grid. Additionally, a global positioning system (GPS)unit may be connected (connector not shown) to and powered by theassembly 80.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the assembly 80 is sealedwith gaskets from the exterior environment. The seal prevents dust andwater from getting into the internal compartments of the assembly 80. Inthis embodiment, the cooling fans along with their respective vent holesin the rear of the assembly 80 are removed. Instead, the assembly usesinternal heat sinks (not shown) to provided cooling for the internalcomponents. Additionally, the entire housing is sealed with gaskets thatmeet military specification (MILSPEC) standards. The gasket sealprevents electromagnetic interference (EMI) discharge.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a Vehicle AdapterAmplifier (“VAA”) provides range extension and allows for rapid radiodismount capability. The SINCGARS VAA Vehicular Radio Mount AM-7239 isdeployed into many vehicles and includes the interface for two SINCGARSRT-1523 Radios, one Remote Power Amplifier AM-7238 with an electricalconnector, and an Internet Controller (INC) which is required forDigital Communications. The electrical connector for the Remote PowerAmplifier is adapted and arranged for supplying power from at least twoof the power supplies to the Radio Frequency Power Amplifier (“RFPA”)AM-7238 and a speaker supported by the base.

In this embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the top side 22 of the mount isadapted to simultaneously support the vehicular radio mount AM-7239 andthe radio frequency power amplifier adjacent to one another. A connectoris found on the left side of the front of the unit to provide theinterface for the Radio Frequency Power Amplifier AM-7238. To that end,top side 22 includes a substantially flat, horizontal first platform forsupporting the vehicular radio mount AM-7239 and a lower substantiallyflat horizontal second platform for supporting RFPA along with a higher,substantially flat, horizontal third platform for supporting a circularconnector 92 to provide the ability of the unit to accommodate a LS/671SINCGARS External Speaker with Microphone/Handset.

The backside of the mount includes an interface connector for digitalcontrol of the Radio Frequency Power Amplifier AM-7238 and a 28 VDCpower out connector. Backside further includes slot access holes (asshown in FIG. 7) to allow a flow of air through base as generated by afan mounted in the bottom access panel of the unit.

In this alternative embodiment of the invention, the power supplysubsystem converts standard household 110/220 Volt alternating currentinto direct current and supplies it to first connector as +28 Voltdirect current and to second connector as +28 Volt current. When controlswitch is closed, a first power supply converts alternating currentpower into direct current power at voltage levels required for SINCGARSRT-1523 radio, i.e., +28 Volt direct current, and outputs the convertedpower to first connector to allow for powering of SINCGARS VAA VehicularRadio Mount AM-7239 when installed or docked onto adapter assembly. Asuitable power supply for first power supply is a ADA-750 power supply

A second power supply is provided for converting direct current powerinto direct current power for powering RFPA. Thus, when control switchis closed, second power supply converts 28 Volt direct current into +13Volts direct current, +200 Volts direct current and +6.75 Volts directcurrent, which is directed to the second connector for powering RFPA. Aportion of the +13 Volts direct current is used to supply power to anaudio amplifier circuit.

The input/output of the SINCGARS RT-1523 radio voice communications areall accessed through a “Boat” connector. These signals are used toprovide the input for the internal speaker, the Active Net LED and theLS-671 connectors on the top of the unit. The LS/671 Speaker connectorlocated on the top of the unit is connected into this circuitry. Thisallows the LS/671 it broadcast the audio from the handset plugged intothe front of the unit as well as the communications received into theradio. The speaker on the front of the base station will also broadcastthe audio signals from the Handset plugged into the LS/671 ExternalSINCGARS Speaker. Under normal radio operations the LS/671 ExternalSpeaker requires the Radio to be placed in a remote mode for operations.As this unit is primarily for fixed site operations where the externalspeaker is used to monitor radio communications in a commander's officethis interface does not require the radio to be placed in Remoteoperation mode but allows the handset to be operated at the radio andthe LS/671 Speaker and Handset. This embodiment also includes two lightemitting diodes which indicates when a given radio is active to enablethe radio operator to identify which radio is in operation when multipleradios are installed in one location.

The placement of the power amplifier minimizes the overall footprint ofthe unit while staggering the placement of the second power supply topromote cooling of the power amplifier mounted in the VAA by insuringthe exposure of the power amplifier's cooling fins to the air.

While the invention is shown in one form, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptible ofvarious changes and modifications without departing from the spiritthereof. For example, various plug placements on the rear member of theinvention as well as to accommodate upgrades and modifications to thecurrent HARRIS 117 radios used by the Armed Forces. Moreover, the heightof the rear member and orientation of the electrical plug on the rear ofthe invention could easily be varied to accommodate different types ofradio configurations. These include the HARRIS 150 class of radios aswell as other variations and versions of the radios and communicationsequipment. In general, it is physical dimensions to meet various typesof HARRIS 117 radio configurations exist, such as those in existingmodel numbers: Ground ICOM radios using receiver-transmitter. Thesemodels are fully intended to be used and are compatible with embodimentsof the present invention.

1. An adapter assembly compromising: a. a base adapted and arranged forsupporting at least one SINCGARS RT-1523 radio; b. a first connectoradapted and arranged for electrically connecting with said SINCGARSRT-1523 radio; c. a first power supply that includes a DC powerconverter for converting 110/220 alternating current into +28 Voltdirect current.; d. a second power supply that converts +28 Volt directcurrent into +6.75 Volts direct current, +13 Volts direct current and+200 Volt direct current; and e. a vehicle adapter power amplifier thatprovides range extension to said SINCGARS RT-1523 radio.
 2. The assemblyaccording to claim 1, further comprising two light emitting diodes whichindicates when a given radio is active to enable the radio operator toidentify which radio is in operation when multiple radios are installedin one location.
 3. The assembly according to claim 1, furthercomprising and external SINCGARS Speaker LS/671 connected with saidSINCGARS RT-1523 radio.
 4. The assembly according to claim 3, furthercomprising an audio amplifier circuit in electrical connection with theand external SINCGARS Speaker LS/671.
 5. The assembly according to claim1, where the placement of the power amplifier minimizes the overallfootprint of the assembly while staggering the placement of the secondpower supply to promote cooling of the power amplifier mounted in thevehicle adapter power amplifier by insuring the exposure of the poweramplifier's cooling fins to cooling air.